China, Thailand, Myanmar Repatriate Thousands From Scam Centers

A coordinated repatriation effort has begun to transport over 1,000 Chinese nationals rescued from online scam centers in Myanmar back to China, with the first chartered flights already taking off from Thailand. This initiative, backed by China, Thailand, and Myanmar, aims to dismantle the illegal operations that have trafficked and exploited thousands of individuals under false pretenses. Thai officials estimate that as many as 10,000 people may eventually be repatriated, many of whom were held in virtual slavery and forced to participate in fraudulent activities. The crackdown follows high-level diplomatic discussions, and recent actions by Thai authorities have included cutting off supplies to scam centers to address national security concerns. The operation has drawn attention due to its scale and the involvement of various nations in combating human trafficking and online scams. As the repatriation progresses, the situation highlights the severe impacts of these criminal networks on victims and regional security.